Cedar Point amusement park/resort announced plans to build the tallest and fastest “double-twisting” impulse roller coaster for the start of the 2002 season.  Named Wicked Twister, this 215-foot-tall, 72-mph will be Cedar Point’s 15th scream machine, breaking the park’s own world record for having more coasters than anywhere else .

Using a linear induction motor (LIM) propulsion system, Wicked Twister will blast riders out of its station reaching a top speed of 72 mph in 2.5 seconds – propelling forward and backward and up and down a U-shaped track with spiraling 450-degree corkscrews atop each vertical 215-foot-tall tower.  This twisted coaster will be launched out of the station five times – three forward and two backward.

As we said in an earlier news item, this coaster will be the first of it's kind, however. earlier Impulse coaster have had either one or neither vertical sections execute a vertical spiral. With Wicked Twister, both vertical sections will twist 540º.

Parents have long been complaining that they and their child stand in line for an attraction for over an hour and then get to the front only to find the child is too small to get on the ride. Disney has developed a new system to deal with this problem.

The child is checked for height only one time. An ultrasound beam is used to tell if kids are tall enough for certain rides once they first enter the park. The device lights up white, blue, orange or green when a paddle is put on the child's head. The child then gets a color-coded wristband telling attendants and the parents what attractions are safe for them. Rides and attractions will have color coded signs posted in front of them.

Attendance has dropped as much as 50% on some days and on average 25% at theme parks following September 11th. Theme parks have cut full time staff hours but at the same time expect a strong holiday season.

Jim Canfield for Universal Orlando said that they have hired 300 temporary workers which complement the 700 temporary workers brought in during busy times. Canfield says the 700 are senior citizens and high school students, and make up Universal's permanent seasonal staffing resource.

Individuals on-site have reported that in recent weeks many of the parks including Disney, look absolutely barren of people. Many area hotels have deep discounts. Before attending make sure you visit the Park's website, as well as call directly to hotels in the area for specials.

The new Orlando-Orange County Convention Center at the base of International Drive is having trouble attracting more hotel rooms to accomodate the expected future larger conventions. The recession is making it difficult for developers of hotels to get financing. Some of the projects include Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott new properties and a proposed expansion of the Peabody Hotel.

The world record for fastest roller coaster has been broken. On December 3, Fujikyu Highlands Park in Japan ran the first manned runs of it's new launched coaster, Dononpa. The ride reached 179 kph (111.5 mph), exceeding its specifications by 7 kph (4 mph). The coaster is scheduled to open to the public later this month.

Liseberg Park in Göteborg, Sweden has announced their plans to built a wooden roller coaster to be opened in 2003. The coaster's name will be "Balder", after a figure in Norse mythology known for friendliness and wisdom. It will stand 36m (118') tall and have a total track length of 1070m (3511'). The coaster will be built by the Swiss amusement ride manufacturer, Intamin AG. The ride will be located where Liseberg's service area used to be.

Heide Park (Soltau, Germany) has announced the height of their next roller coaster. Slated for 2003, this Intamin-designed coaster will reach a height of 126 meters (412 feet). Upon completion of its towering first hill, all complete-circuit height records thus far in the long history of our favorite amusement ride will be shattered.

Cedar Point has announced a new roller coaster to be built at the park for opening in May of 2002. "Wicked Twister", as the ride will be named, is an Intamin "Impulse Coaster", similar to Superman Ultimate Escape at the nearby Six Flags Ohio. This coaster will be the first of it's king, however. earlier Impulse coaster have had either one or neither vertical sections execute a spiral as they ride. With Wicked Twister, both vertical sections will twist 540º.

The coaster's trackwork will be painted bright yellow, with teal support columns.

Just how do you string lights on a 400-foot Christmas tree? SeaWorld Orlando is preparing for the holidays as it decks out one of the tallest showcases of festive decor in the area - its renowned 400-foot Christmas tree of lights.

This holiday beacon has illuminated the Central Florida sky for more than 25 years. Topped with a 20-foot star and adorned with 2,462 amber bulbs, this towering yuletide symbol stands in the middle of the park and can be seen from miles away - even by airline passengers flying over Orlando.

Preparing the skytower for the holidays is no easy task, as it takes two days and more than thirty workers to hang the 200-pound star and string 10,000 feet of lights. While most folks use a ladder to hang their lights, these workers use a unique method; the tower's motorized capsule. At ground level, both the star and lights are attached to the capsule for their ascent to the skies. Once the star is in place, each of the 24, 400-foot-long light strands is transported one at a time.

The finished product can be seen beginning November 29 as SeaWorld hosts a special tree-lighting ceremony to kick-off the season.

The Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks won eight prestigious Brass Ring Awards for marketing excellence at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) annual convention in Orlando.

The eight Brass Ring Awards, plus six second-place awards, are the most won by any organization in the international awards competition. The awards recognize the company's creative excellence in several categories for SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove parks.

Walt Disney Co. and Universal theme parks are selling tickets at a discount to get back customers. For example, the price of an annual pass for access to Disneyland and California Adventure has been cut by $50 to $99 for California residents and $149 for others.

Universal Studios Hollywood is offering a free yearly admission pass with the purchase of a full-price ticket through Dec. 24. The company said it's the first time it has had such a promotion.

As a cost cutting measure, Universal Orlando has shaved down its 12,000 employees' work week. As well, an unspecified number of employees and executives have been let go. This included Don Potts, senior vice president of operations of Universal Studios. His job of managing operations at Universal Studios has been incorporated under Rich Costales' job description. Rich Costales will now manage operations at both Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure.

The head of Universal Orlando, Felix Mussenden, quit suddenly on Tuesday. He had been president of Universal Orlando for the last two years.

For the third year in a row, Canadian residents can enjoy "at par" admissions to SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. From Nov. 1, 2001 to April 30, 2002, the "at par" program will offer Canadian residents "at par" admission prices to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando. Proof of Canadian residency is required to purchase tickets. The price is applicable to both single-park and multi-park tickets. Considering the current Canadian versus US dollar exchange rate, its an incredible deal.

Like other areas where the public and tourists congregate, the events of September 11th have necessitated Theme Parks tightening security. But most Theme Parks are being closed-mouthed about their methods. This is unlike the Cruise Industry where Carnival Cruises is actually telling passengers that their boat is being inspected for bombs twice daily by undersea divers.

At Disneyland, employee vehicles and delivery trucks are being inspected by bomb sniffing dogs, electronic devices and security officers before entering the park. Uniformed police and plain clothes officers are also patrolling the park. Guests who bring packages or bags into the park can also expect a search.

Other parks have started to search bags prior to entrance. "Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, we have reviewed our security policies and recently implemented a bag search policy. This new procedure was met with enthusiasm from our guests," an official at Paramount Parks stated to Coasterglobe. Paramount Parks owns Kings Island and Kings Dominion amongst other theme parks.

Since the terrorist attacks, Universal Orlando laid off about 100 workers and Walt Disney World postponed the opening of a new resort. Universal Orlando employs about 12,000 workers at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, CityWalk and its two hotels, Hard Rock and Portofino Bay. Eighty jobs were eliminated at Universal Studios California. "We're responding, as companies across America are, to the current business climate," said Universal spokesman Jim Canfield. The Sept. 11 attacks, Canfield added, were "a major contributor." .

Walt Disney World officials announced Tuesday that they are postponing indefinitely the opening of Pop Century, a $460 million resort. "You're always looking at the future, and right now it's difficult to forecast with certainty because of changing economic conditions," Disney spokesman Bill Warren told the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday. Immediately after the attacks, Disney World and Universal cut back the work week of full time employees to 32 hours and eliminated part time workers.

Perilous Plunge at Knott's Berry Farm remains closed as Lori Mason-Larez's family sues both Knott's and Intamin over her fall to death. A lawsuit filed Tuesday accused Knott's Berry Farm and ride manufacturer Intamin Co. of "negligence, strict liability for a defective product and negligent infliction of emotional distress". Three of the woman's five children and her niece witnessed the accident. Mason-Larez died Sept. 21 in a fatal fall while the water ride went down its 115 feet descent at speeds up to 50 mph. Each seat has two restraints, a seat belt and a lap bar. When the ride returned to the dock, park employees said both were securely in place. Her lawyer, Marc Feldman, claims the woman was not buckled into her seat belt. Some experts think that the woman's large size may have contributed to the fall. She weighed 330 pounds according to paramedics. Feldman also said, "there was absolutely no weight limitation at all" for Perilous Plunge claiming there should have been.

Busch Gardens and SeaWorld are offering free admission to emergency workers. This generous offer is on until December 31st. Any firefigher, police officer or emergency worker and their families can get a complimentary admission into any Busch Gardens or Seaworld in the United States.

As well, Anheuser-Busch donated $1 million to the Red Cross and many other supplies to New York and Washington relief efforts.

Anheuser Busch officials stated, "We hope, in some small way, this begins to send the multitude of thanks that all of us owe you. "

Datateam Publishing Limited has acquired Park World magazine, one of the world's leading amusement industry pulications. The changes this company will introduce will be announced soon. Park World's web site, located at parkworld.com (available only to subscribers) will also undergo major changes. Well known amusement industry expert, and roller coaster enthusiast, Paul Ruben, is the editor of Park World.

As the follow up investigation to the death of 40 year old Lori Mason-Larez proceeds, the Los Angeles Times has reported that her weight may have been a factor in her fall. A spokesperson for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, the state agency investigating the accident said "Weight may have been one of the factors, but there may have been others." Lori Mason-Larez, 40, of Duarte fell to her death from the Perilous Plunge Ride. She was a mother of 5 children.

State investigators were at Knott's on Monday and also planned to meet with representatives of Intamin AG, the ride's manufacturer. Intamin designed Superman: Ride of Steel. A 300 pound man suffered minor injuries after he was ejected from the ride at Six Flags in New York. State inspectors there later determined that the park should restrict the size of ride passengers and install seat belts as a secondary restraint. The Perilous Plunge ride at Knotts already had secondary restraints.

Knott's Berry Farm has delayed the opening of their new S&S "Slingshot" ride "Vertigo" due to the recent death on one of their park's other rides, "Perilous Plunge". The original opening date was to be this saturday, the 29th of September. Park officials thought "it would be inappropriate to open [Vertigo] in light of what happened Friday." The ride's new opening date has not yet been announced.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is having a special halloween event called Howl-O-Scream. The torment in Tampa Bay begins Friday, Sept. 28, and culminates with the ultimate scream fest on Halloween night. Howl-O-Scream drifts brave souls through five haunted houses, adrenaline-loaded attractions and encounters with hundreds of ghouls and goblins. Featuring jaw-dropping special effects and eye-popping terror, the never-before-seen haunted houses are Escape from Insanity, Curse of Tut’s Tomb, Screaming Reality, Creeper’s Crypt and Night Stalker in 3-D. Pernicia Gloom, Mangler, Torment and hordes of other creatures of the night make even the most die-hard Halloween veterans tremble. Guests can also party into the wee hours of the night at multiple pulse-pounding DJ stations with other ghouls and goblins. Adding to the event’s awe are two frighteningly fun shows, RIP-TV, a comedy parodying contemporary music artists, and Fiends, a ghoulish rock & roll concert, which offer entertaining diversions from the nighttime thrills. Howl-O-Scream themed food and merchandise will be available throughout the park. For those guests looking to expand their terrifying experience, limited-capacity special events, Fright Feast dinner theater and Tours of Terror VIP excursion, are available for an additional cost.

Besides all this some of the coasters will be flying at night! Scary, very scary.

Howl-O-Scream unleashes its torment Friday, Sept. 28; Saturday, Sept. 29; Friday, Oct. 5; Saturday, Oct. 6; Friday, Oct. 12; Saturday, Oct. 13; Thursday, Oct. 18; Friday, Oct. 19; Saturday, Oct. 20; Thursday, Oct. 25; Friday, Oct. 26; Saturday, Oct. 27; Sunday, Oct. 28 and Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Elvira will be spooking up a storm by hopping between Knotts and Paramount Kings Island. (See the article below on Knott's Halloween Spook Fest.)

Even if you escaped FearFest at Paramount Kings Island last year, will you survive its hideous, shocking and even more gruesome reincarnation in 2001? Nothing can prepare guests for what lies in store for those willing souls who visit the Midwest's largest and scariest haunted event, with seven all-new haunted attractions and seven of the world's most frightening rides. FearFest reappears for only eight horrific nights with even more grotesque haunted attractions and additional thrilling rides to truly terrify and torment all who dare enter. Also new this year is a discount for advanced ticket purchases, available at participating Cincinnati and Dayton area Blockbuster stores. Evade crazed clowns in the Midwest's only 3-D haunted attraction, flee through the outdoor Trail of Terror, get interactive with Elvira®, "Mistress of the Dark"(tm), and struggle to find the way out of an icy cold, dank maze before those lurking behind the next turn find you.

A Park official at Knott's Berry Farm has confirmed the death of a 40 year old woman after her fall from the Perilous Plunge Ride. The other riders who were in the same car as the woman were uninjured.

The park official stated that the California State Department of Occupational Health and Safety is investigating the ride and circumstances of the fall. Both close examination of the mechanics of the ride and witness interviews will make up the bulk of the investigative report. It is not known when the ride will re-open and the official would not speculate as to the cause of the fall.

In the press and other coaster web sites there was incorrect information that reported the secondary seatbelt was unbuckled. It was actually buckled along with the lap bar being locked when the car returned to the station.

Park staff were deeply saddened and traumatized by the incident. "We are in the business of creating happy memories and anything that would detract from the joy of our park is very upsetting."

The Perilous Plunge Ride at Knott's Berry Farm in California, USA. is closed and under intensive investigation as a result of a woman's death. On September 22nd, 40 year old Lori Mason-Larez fell from the ride. She sustained major injuries and died later in hospital.

Park officials are uncertain about the cause since the lap bar was still locked when the boat returned to the station. The secondary-restraint seatbelt was also buckled in.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Disney is set to open a new theme park in Hong Kong followed by one in mainland China. Disney has been building its product recognition in China including having a number of leading television shows.

"We've essentially been aggressively building the brand in China over the last five years," Walt Disney Co. President Bob Iger said. A growing middle class in China is wanting more options.

Richard Verrier of the Los Angeles Times adds, "Ironically, the successful piracy of Disney products in the 1980s and 1990s has helped to make Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck virtual household names in much of China."

Hong Kong Disneyland is being supported by local governments which are about to invest more than 2.8 billion in cash, low interest loans and public works projects. Disney will own 43 per cent of the Park by investing $315 million. The Park is being built similar to EuroDisney in France with much local input.

Central Florida’s theme parks have re-opened but not without trepidation.

Disney has beefed up security since it is a prime terrorist target. "Normal has been redefined," Disney spokesman Bill Warren said.

Fred Jacobs, a spokesman for Anheuser-Busch, which owns Sea World in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa agreed with Warren but added, "A lot of people have made plans to visit the parks ... and they have to begin the process of living their lives again, and this is part of it," Jacobs said.

The federally operated Kennedy Space Center remained closed and was on high alert.

All major theme parks closed today to avert possible terrorist attacks. Universal studios, Busch Gardens, and Knott's Berry Farm joined Disney in closing all their parks.

Today, Disney closed theme parks in Orlando as a precaution after terrorist attacks on the United States.

"In an abundance of caution, Walt Disney World resort has made the decision to close its theme parks, water parks, shopping, entertainment and recreation complexes. In response to today's events in Washington, D.C., New York City and elsewhere, Walt Disney World is immediately taking steps to heighten security throughout its property." a Disney statement said.

Resort hotels remained open.

Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park California has one of the coolest Halloween bashes going. Add this to some great coasters and thrill rides and you've got an exciting holiday or day at the Park. Every October since 1973, family-friendly Knott's Berry Farm has transformed itself into the not-for-little-kids Knott's Scary Farm to host the world's first and most popular theme park Halloween event. Like walking into a 160-acre horror movie, Halloween Haunt completely surrounds guests with the ultimate in adult scare experiences. Lights are turned down low, fog is pumped through the streets and elaborately themed walk- and ride-through attractions and sinister live shows are presented at locations throughout the park. The monstrous success of the event over the years has encouraged Knott's pioneering "scare-masters" to develop fresh new ways each year to shock, scare and severely terrify.

What lies beneath your nightmares screams out at Knott's Scary Farm's® Halloween Haunt®. Back for its 29th year as the ghoulish granddaddy of Halloween celebrations, Halloween Haunt offers twelve blood-chilling new attractions guaranteed to maintain Knott's legacy as the gold standard of adult scare entertainment.

The world's first and most popular theme park Halloween event, the "Haunt" continues its wretched reign in 2001 with nine creepy new additions: five new mazes, including the Haunt's second 3-D maze; three sinister new shows; hundreds of new monsters, ghouls and other hideous beasts; and an all-new TOTAL TERROR TRIP.

In all, co-hosts Elvira®, Mistress of the Dark™ (appearing through Oct. 31) and The Crypt Keeper® from "Tales From The Crypt®" reign over a terrorizing total of 10 walk- and ride-through mazes; an all-new total terror trip, "Curse of the Spider Woods"; and six live shows, including separate productions starring - and inspired by - the two horror icons themselves. In addition, four scare zones will make it virtually impossible for guests to find refuge from Knott's 1,000+ professionally made-up and costumed monsters roaming the Park in search of victims.

Under the theme of "The Scariest Ever!" this year's 19-night park-wide festival of fear opens Oct. 4-8 with a discounted "bonus night" and "Freak Preview Nights," and continues its regular run on 15 nights Oct. 11-Nov 3.

Although elaborate walk- and ride-through mazes have been a Haunt staple since 1974, 2000 marked the first year Scary Farm designers offered a 3-D attraction. This year, Knott's offers a second 3-D maze, "Malice in Wunderland," a trip down a rancid rabbit hole where visitors are never sure what demented creatures they will encounter on this deadly, twisted nature adventure. Visitors to the 3-D mazes will be given a pair of signature 3-D glasses to heighten the scare experience. Knott's "scare-masters" have designed the mazes with special florescent colors which, when combined with the optional 3-D glasses, enhance the guests' sense of depth perception as they travel from chamber to horrifying chamber.

Other new mazes for 2001 include "Elvira® Presents: Red Moon Massacre," where the big, bad werewolves rule the night and visits to Grandma's house are never a walk in the woods; and "The Crypt Keeper Presents: Horrorwood Fright Festival," where the ghoulish "Decapitation Theatre" gives tribute to horror films. Follow the undead through the ages in the vampire chronicle, "Lore of the Vampire"; and "Blood Bayou," a swampland cruise terrorized by voodoo zombies and cannibalistic inbreeds. Five popular maze experiences return - including "Alien Attack," "Army of the Underworld," "The Underground," "Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns," and "The Inquisition."

This year Knott's offers something completely different for the discerning Halloween Haunt fan, "Curse of the Spider Woods." Before recorded time, an ancient evil - forged in darkness, feeding on fear - ruled the blood-soaked woods. Many venture in, but few come out. If you dare, swallow your fear and face Arachne, master of insects! This total terror trip is a short, intense, effects-rich scare.

2001's offerings also include four scare zones designed to expand the total park acreage devoted to face-to-face monster encounters. When combined the classic "Ghost Town," "Gauntlet," "Swamp," and "CarnEVIL" scare zones make it virtually impossible for guests to find refuge from Knott's assortment of 1,000 hideously costumed and made-up beasts.